Easton Agricultural Commission to Draft 'Right to Farm' Bylaw

Easton's newly formed Agricultural Commission has begun working on a new town bylaw that would recognize the "Right to Farm" in Easton and regulate disputes between farmers, the town and neighbors.

The "Right to Farm Bylaw" would also promote farming in town, Agricultural Commission Chair Ed Hands told Selectmen Monday. Encouraging farming is an important priority for the commission, he said.

"The Massachusetts state constitution says that farms are a public good that should be protected for a number of purposes, including conservation of land and other things as well," he said. "Farming is a valuable right that can have important consequences for the community."

Hands' presentation to the Selectmen Monday was one of many discussions he plans to have with various town committees in order to inform them of the commission's progress. Hands hopes that the Conservation Commission, Planning Board, Community Preservation Committee and Board of Health will support the commission's goals.

In addition to drafting the bylaw, the seven-person Agricultural Commission was created to identify community agricultural needs, provide access to conflict resolution for agricultural growers and farmers in the community, recommend land-use action to help agriculture thrive, and advocate at the state and federal level for agricultural-related funding.

The Commission was formed at last May's town meeting.

While Hands explained to Selectmen that there is a "right to farm," he also explained certain limitations. He defined a farm as land of at least five acres used for commercial agriculture that gains a profit of at least $500 annually.

He explained that farms should be used for commercial operations in accordance with general accepted practices, that they should conform to federal, state and local laws and regulations and the "right to farm" excludes willful negligence and reckless misconduct.

Board of Selectmen Chair Colleen Corona said that the main complaint she has received related to agriculture and farming was the noise of roosters in a neighborhood.

Hands explained that the Agricultural Commission would act in its role to mediate in that type of situation.

"On a five acre farm, the only way I could see that coming up as an issue is if the farm house is located close to the property line," he said. "What we would recommend is re-locating the hen house to a central location."

The commission is meeting on Thursday to go over a Work Plan created to guide future goals. He invited the public to attend the discussion in Easton Town Offices.

"We’ve drafted a work plan," he said. "We’re meeting this coming Thursday at 12. Anyone who would like to come can come. We’re going to be discussing our draft."